Method and circuit for igniting a gas flow

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method and a circuit for igniting a gas flow in a fully automatic manner. The aim of the invention is to maintain the necessary current consumption so low that an integratable voltage source can be used. To this end, once an electronic control unit has been activated, a thermoelectric safety pilot valve ( 2 ) is opened by an electromagnet which is temporarily excited by a rush of current, is maintained in the open position by a safety pilot magnet ( 6 ) by means of a holding current provided by a voltage source ( 10 ), and the escaping gas is ignited. Once a thermoelectric couple ( 4 ) is provided for the necessary holding current, the voltage source ( 10 ) is switched off. In the event of damage, the method is automatically interrupted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and all advantages of PCTapplication No. PCT/EP2004/013000, filed on Feb. 12, 2004, which claimsthe priority and benefit of German patent application No. 103 95 928.8,filed on Feb. 13, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The invention concerns a process for igniting a gas stream and a circuitarrangement for carrying out this process as can be used for a gasheating stove with gas regulator fittings.

(2) Description of Related Art

Facilities for a gas heating stove or the like are available in a largenumber of designs.

And so an ignition device for igniting gases is described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,722,823 A. The ignition device has a magnet coil that operates agas valve, an igniter to ignite the gas stream electrically and a remotecontrol that is connected to the magnet coil and the igniter via alow-voltage line. The remote control includes an energy supply and atime switch for timing the provision of low voltage.

This design requires a great deal of energy to ignite the gas stream. Sothere is provision for three relay coils, which means a relatively highpower input. The solenoid valve is constantly energised during theignition process, which results in a high power consumption.Consequently the only energy supply option is a mains supply. Anotherdisadvantage is that faults occurring within the switch can lead tosafety-related issues.

A valve device for controlling the ignition of a gas burner is familiarfrom the GB 2 351 341 A. An operating spindle is moved by hand into theignition position, which opens the ignition locking valve. The operatingspindle needs only be held a short time in this position as amicroswitch is engaged when the operating spindle is moved. This causesa voltage to be made available from a power supply to engage the magnet.Ignition takes place by piezoelectric spark ignition. The power supplyis switched off when the thermoelectric current provided by athermocouple is sufficient to keep the ignition locking valve in itsopen position.

Even with this solution use of a power supply is a disadvantage.Additional effort is also needed to carry out the piezoelectric sparkignition. Especially where there is a fairly large conduction gapbetween the ignition locking valve and the burner aperture there is afurther problem insofar as there cannot yet be any ignitable gas mixtureat the burner aperture, as the time between the ignition locking valveopening and ignition is relatively short.

Further to this DE 93 07 895 U describes a multi-function valve withthermoelectric locking for gas burners on heating devices. Thismultifunction valve uses a room's existing power supply to operate it.To ignite the gas stream a magnetic valve is energised via a pushbutton,opening the ignition locking valve. The gas stream is ignited at thesame time. A thermocouple in the area of the ignited gas flame is heatedand puts a magnetic insert into an energised condition via the resultantthermoelectric current. The magnet holds an anchor firm and so keeps theignition locking valve linked to the anchor in the open position. Nowthe pushbutton can be released and the magnetic valve be de-energised.

Here it is a disadvantage that the pressure valve must be held longenough until the thermoelectric current holds the ignition locking valvein the open position. It is also a disadvantage that the powerconsumption is relatively high in view of the fact that the magneticvalve must remain energised for this time via the power supply so that amains supply is necessary.

Both solutions described in GB 2 351 341 A a in DE 93 07 895 U also havethe disadvantage that they cannot be run fully automatically, and manualoperation is necessary.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the problem of developing a process for fullyautomatic ignition of a gas stream and a switch arrangement for carryingout this process that has such a low power consumption that it would bepossible to employ an integrated electricity source with an adequatelife. The structure should also be kept as simple and as inexpensive aspossible.

According to the invention the procedural problem is solved byactivating a transverter, which generates a higher voltage from directcurrent provided by an electricity source, with which a storagecapacitor and an ignition capacitor to provide the ignition voltage areloaded. An essentially familiar ignition locking magnet is activated bya holding current provided by the electricity source, while at the sametime an electric circuit that exists between the ignition locking magnetand a thermocouple that can be influenced by the gas flame isinterrupted via a relay. The storage capacitor is now abruptlydischarged via a circuit element, generating a current surge and brieflyenergising an electromagnet, to open an essentially familiar ignitionlocking valve and at the same time applying the anchor of the ignitionlocking magnet. Owing to the ignition locking magnet activated by theholding current the anchor is held in this position after applicationand a pilot light to ignite the outflowing gas is generated via anignition electrode linked with the ignition capacitor via an ignitiontransformer in a familiar fashion. Subsequently further ignitionprocedures are initiated whereby the ignition capacitor is recharged anda new pilot light is generated after charging has taken place. After aprescribed period of time ignition is terminated. The holding currentflowing from the electricity source to the ignition locking magnet isinterrupted and the circuit between the ignition locking magnet and thethermocouple is closed via the relay.

This has found a solution, which remedies the aforementioneddisadvantages of prior art. A brief operation of the electronic controlunit facilitates ignition of the gas stream. In view of the only pulsedoperation of the electromagnet, which is independent of how long thecontrol unit is operated, there is a very low power requirement. It alsopossible to access the electricity source to generate the pilot light,so that there is no need for the additional cost of a piezoelectricignition device.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are, derived from the otherpatent claims.

It proves to be beneficial if, after the electronic control unit isactivated to ignite the gas stream, a check takes place to determinewhether a gas flame is alight. If the information is positive theignition procedure is aborted, while if it is negative theaforementioned steps of the procedure are carried out.

There is also an advantageous embodiment of the process if the existenceof a thermal electromagnetic force is measured, while other ignitionprocedures are initiated if there is an absence of thermalelectromagnetic force. If however there is evidence of thermalelectromagnetic force ignition is terminated. As soon as measurements ofthermal electromagnetic force indicate that the electronicallycalculated thermoelectric current is sufficient to keep the anchor onthe ignition locking magnet, the holding current flowing from theelectricity source to the ignition locking magnet is interrupted and theelectric circuit between the ignition locking magnet and thethermocouple is again closed via the relay.

It is also feasible for the storage capacitor and the ignition capacitorto be charged relatively easily via transverters assigned respectivelyto them at different voltages.

There is also a favourable embodiment of the process, if a higheralternating current is generated from the direct current supplied fromthe electricity source, whereby a power oscillator is used instead ofthe transverter and the storage capacitor is only switched to a firststage of a multiple cascade when the ignition procedure is initiated,whereupon the storage capacitor and the ignition capacitor connected byelectrical conduction with the second stage of the multiple cascade arecharged to prescribed higher voltages by means of the higher alternatingcurrent via the cascade circuit. After the prescribed higher directcurrent voltages have been reached the power oscillator is switched offand switched on again when other ignition procedures are initiated.

To reduce power requirements even further, which is particularlyimportant when the electricity source is a battery, the dimensions ofwhich can be so small that it can be located together with theelectronic control unit in the housing of the receiver portion of aremote control, the holding current supplied by the electricity sourceto hold the anchor can flow simultaneously through the ignition lockingmagnet and the relay, while at the time that the electric circuitbetween the ignition locking magnet and the thermocouple is closed anadditional current is briefly generated to safely prevent the anchordropping out when the relay is rearranged because of the briefinterruption in current when the switching contact of the relay isinterposed. On the other hand it is also feasible for the voltage of theholding current supplied to the ignition locking magnet from theelectricity source to be transverted to the millivolt range via anadditional transverter.

It is also advantageous if the existence of a thermal electromagneticforce is measured using an analogue amplifier.

The safety of the process, such as when a breakdown occurs, is increasedby a procedural step, which after a defined period of time has elapsed,also interrupts the energisation of the ignition locking magnet from theelectricity source by using one or more independendent safety cutoffs,connected in series and timed.

To keep the time between the first ignition procedure and the followingignition procedures as brief as possible, it is desirable to save energyby disconnecting the storage capacitor from the cascade before furthercyclical charges of the ignition capacitor.

As far as the circuit arrangement is concerned the problem is solved inaccordance with the invention by the features stated in patent claim 12.Advantageous embodiments and evolutionary developments are set out inthe associated subclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The procedure that is the subject of the invention and circuitarrangement in accordance with the invention to ignite a gas stream isexplained in further detail in an embodiment below. The individualrepresentations show:

FIG. 1 a schematic representation of the circuit arrangement,

FIG. 2 a detailed representation of the power oscillator

FIG. 3 a detailed representation of the analogue amplifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The circuit arrangement in accordance with the invention and exemplifiedin FIG. 1 to carry out the process of igniting a gas stream is employedon a gas regulating valve. This gas regulating valve is a switching andregulatory device that is preferably intended for installation in agas-heated chimney stove or similar. It facilitates the operation andmonitoring of a burner where the gas volume flowing to the burner iscontrolled. As well as assemblies that are not material to the inventionand not therefore represented in this embodiment, the gas regulatingvalve also has an ignition burner 1 and a ignition locking valve 2. Thedesign and function of the ignition burner 1 and the ignition lockingvalve 2 are familiar to specialists and have not therefore beenexplained in detail.

It is triggered by an undescribed microcomputer module serving as anelectronic control unit, which in this embodiment is located in alikewise undescribed separately located housing of the receiver sectionof a remote control together with an electricity source 10. Theelectricity source 10 consists of standard commercial batteries as shownin the drawing, in this case size R6.

A power oscillator 11 detailed further below that can be triggered fromthe microcomputer module via a port J, is connected with the electricitysource 10. In series with this is a cascade circuit 12/13 which servesto trigger and supply a downstream storage capacitor C1 and to triggerand supply a downstream ignition capacitor C2. As the voltage requiredto charge the storage capacitor C1 is significantly less than thevoltage required to charge the ignition capacitor C2, the cascadecircuit 12/13 is designed as a multiple cascade circuit.

Here the first stage of cascade 12 serves to trigger and supply thedownstream storage capacitor C1. Downstream from this in turn is anelectromagnet 5, which, as shown schematically in the drawing, serves toactuate an essentially familiar ignition locking valve 2. In view of thebrevity of the charge a low thermal capacity so-called pulse magnet 5 issufficient.

The second stage of the cascade 13 serves to trigger and supply thedownstream ignition capacitor C2, which is part of an essentiallyfamiliar and therefore not further detailed ignition device. Theignition capacitor C2 can be triggered to ignite by the microcomputermodule via port C. The second stage of cascade 13 is connected with anelement 14 to monitor the voltage. At the same time element 14 serves tolimit the maximum voltage that can occur, to prevent a destruction ofcomponents. An additional voltage monitor for the storage capacitor C1can be omitted, as after the ignition capacitor C2 has been charged itcan be assumed that the storage capacitor C1 has also been charged. PortD serves to send a check-back signal to the microcomputer module.

FIG. 2 shows in detail the circuit for the power oscillator 11 beingused. Power oscillator 11 consists of the CMOS electric circuit 15,essentially familiar to specialists, with at least four gates. Thesegates can be NOR gates, NAND gates, simple negators etc. Downstream fromthem is a complementary field effect power stage 16, to which an LCseries oscillator circuit, consisting of coil

L1 and HF condensor C3 is connected. An RC link serves as a so-calledphase shifter 19 for feedback and phase adjustment.

As further indicated in FIG. 1, a ignition locking magnet 6 forming partof the ignition locking valve 2 is linked with a thermocouple 4. Thenormally closed contact of a monostable relay 17 is also located in thiscircuit, whereas this circuit is open in the energised state and theignition locking magnet 6 receives current from the electricity source10 supplied by the batteries. In addition to this a circuit element, inthis case a transistor T1, which can be triggered by the microcomputermodule via port G, is connected on the one hand with the electricitysource 10 and on the other with the relay 17. A resistor RI is alsolocated in parallel with relay 17, as the holding current required forthe ignition locking magnet 6 is higher than the current flowing throughthe relay 17. This circuit also has two series-connected and timedsafety cutoffs 18, which are connected for control purposes with themicrocomputer module via the ports H and M.

Two further circuit elements, a transistor T2 and a transistor T3, aretied up to this circuit between relay 17 and safety cutoffs 18. Whilethe transistor T2, upstream of which there is a resistor R3, isconnected with the negative terminal of electricity source 10 and can betriggered by the microcomputer module via the port F, transistor T3 isconnected with the positive terminal of electricity source 10 and can betriggered by the microcomputer module via the port E.

In addition to this an analogue amplifier 20 is connected in parallelwith the thermocouple 4. This analogue amplifier 20 has the task ofmeasuring a direct current at thermocouple 4 occurring in the millivoltrange, amplifying it and converting it into a range that themicrocomputer module can process. As the DC amplifiers otherwisecustomary for such instances on the one hand require an auxiliary supplyabove the operating voltage and on the other hand suffer driftdeviations, due to temperature influences for example, the analogueamplifier 20 is designed as an AC amplifier.

The analogue amplifier, as also described in FIG. 3, is described asfollows:

A field effect transistor T4 that can be triggered by the microcomputermodule via port L and a resistor R2 form a controllable voltage divider.A pre-amplifier and a booster amplifier are downstream from the voltagedivider, with blocking capacitors C4/C5 assigned to each of them.

With the pre-amplifier V1 the reference potential is formed by thepositive voltage in order to eliminate fluctuations in the on-boardvoltage. On the other hand, in the case of the booster amplifier V2 thereference potential is formed by mass. Both amplifiers V1/V2 and atrigger TR are operated by the microcomputer module through the port K,as they are rendered inoperable when not required to save electricity.The trigger TR behind the booster amplifier V2 is linked for its partwith the microcomputer module via port I.

To carry out this process the ignition command is passed on to themicrocomputer module via the remote control. The analogue amplifier 20activated via port K checks whether a thermal electromagnetic forcebears against thermocouple 4 and the relevant information is given tothe microcomputer module via port I. Whereas the ignition procedure isaborted, if there is an existing thermal electromagnetic force, which isequivalent to a burning pilot light, if there is no thermalelectromagnetic force the voltage divider of analogue amplifier 20 istriggered by the microcomputer module via port L. A single switching ofthe voltage divider will convert the direct current at thermocouple 4 atthis time into a pulse of alternating current. The pulse reachespre-amplifier V1 via the blocking capacitor C4. The signal from thepreamplifier V1 is connected to the booster amplifier V2 via theblocking capacitor C5 and further amplified. This analogue signal comingfrom the booster amplifier V2 is digitalised by the trigger TR at fixedtrigger points, as shown in the diagram associated with FIG. 3.

The diagram plots the course of voltage U during the time t. In aprescribed voltage level SE and on introduction of the pulse signal ISat time TL the trigger TR sets an initial trigger point TR1 and at therelease of the voltage of pulse signal IS a second trigger point TR2, towhich a time TE is assigned. The time lapse between the two points intime TL and TE is a measuring signal MS.

The measuring signal MS obtained from the existing thermalelectromagnetic force reaches the microcomputer module via port 1. Thelength of measuring signal MS is directly proportional to the thermalelectromagnetic force at thermocouple 4.

Whereas the ignition procedure is aborted if there is any thermalelectromagnetic force, i.e. if the pilot light is already burning, if,on the other hand, there is no thermal electromagnetic force the poweroscillator 11 will be activated by the microcomputer module via port Jand the storage capacitor C1 will be switched to the first stage 12 ofthe multiple cascade via port A.

Activating the power oscillator 11 starts to oscillate the resonantcircuit over the feedback element i.e. the resonant circuit becomes aself-oscillatory and frequency-determining power oscillator 11. Thismeans that at the output from the power oscillator 11 there is a manytimes higher alternating current opposed to the low direct currentsupplied by the batteries at the input. This alternating current chargesthe storage capacitor C1 and the ignition capacitor C2 with theassistance of the two cascade stages 12/13, until element 14, whichserves to monitor the voltage and limit the maximum voltage that occurs,responds and sends a signal via port D to the microcomputer module,which then switches off the power oscillator 11 via the port J.

Then the timed safety cutoffs 18 are activated via the port M and theignition locking magnet 6 is supplied with a holding current fromelectricity source 10 via transistor T1 triggered via port G, energisingrelay 17, and so opening the circuit between ignition locking magnet 6and thermocouple 4. The resonant circuit C1 is abruptly discharged bythe subsequent triggering of port B. Thereupon resonant circuit C1 isseparated from cascade stage 12 via port A. The pulse magnet 5 isbriefly energised by this power surge and a tappet 7 is moved far enoughagainst the force of a recoil spring 8 for the anchor 3 to attach toignition locking magnet 6. Because of the flowing holding current theanchor 3 is held in this position and the ignition locking valve 2 inthe open position. The gas can flow through the gas regulating valve tothe ignition burner 1.

If a breakdown occurs as a result of a component failure or the like,after a defined period of time has elapsed the energisation of theignition locking magnet 6 via electricity source 10 will also beinterrupted by one or more independent safety cutoffs 18 connected inseries and timed and the ignition locking valve will not remain in theopen position, but will be closed again by recoil spring 8.

The microcomputer module activates the ignition device via port C, theignition capacitor C2 discharges and the pilot light at ignitionelectrode 9 flashes over, igniting the outflowing gas.

After a prescribed period of time has elapsed, in this example approx. Isecond, the analogue amplifier 20 is activated via the ports K and L anda check is carried out to determine whether, because heating hascommenced as a result of the burning pilot light, a detectable voltageis already being applied on thermocouple 4, i.e. at least approx. 1 mV.

If this is not the case, further ignition procedures will be introduced,while, as already explained in detail above, the power oscillator 11will be activated, the ignition capacitor C2 will be charged and thendischarged again when a new pilot light is generated. With thesefollowing ignition procedures the storage capacitor C1 is separated fromcascade stage 12 to save power, as a further charging of the storagecapacitor C1 is no longer necessary. Should no ignition of the gas occurwithin a specified period, the microcomputer module will abort theignition procedure.

Should the minimum voltage exist no further ignition procedures will ofcourse be initiated, but the available open circuit voltage ofthermocouple 4 will again be checked until the amount of the currentelectronically calculated from this will be sufficient as holdingcurrent for ignition locking magnet 6. At this point the analogueamplifier 20 is deactivated via port K and the current flowing from theelectricity source 10 to the ignition locking magnet 6 is interruptedvia port G. The relay 17 is de-energised and the make-and-break contactsof relay 17 close the circuit between thermocouple 4 and ignitionlocking magnet 6. The anchor 3 is now held by the thermoelectriccurrent.

To prevent anchor 3 dropping out because of the essentially briefinterruption of the holding current when the make-and-break contacts ofrelay 17 are switched over, the transistor T2 is briefly activated viaport F at the time of the switchover and an additional current isgenerated with similar brevity via the resistor R3, safely preventingthe anchor dropping off as mentioned above.

Should the gas regulating valve be switched off the switch-off commandis passed on to the microcomputer module via the remote control. Bybriefly activating port G and port E while circumventing the safetycutoffs 18 and the ignition locking magnet 6 a power surge is sentthrough relay 17, whose make-and-break contacts briefly lift off as aresult. This interrupts the holding current flowing between thermocouple4 and ignition locking magnet 6. The anchor is no longer held by theignition locking magnet 6 and the ignition locking valve 2 closes underthe influence of the recoil spring 8. The gas flow to ignition burner 1and of course to the main burner—not shown—is interrupted and the gasflame is extinguished.

The process that is the subject of the invention and the circuitarrangement for carrying out this process are not of course limited tothe embodiment described. Alterations, adaptations and combinations arepossible without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is evident that the transmission of control signals can, as isgenerally known, be made by cable, infra-red, radio waves, ultra-soundetc. It is also possible for there no remote control to be used and forall the necessary components to be on or in the gas regulating valve. Itis also possible for there to be just a main burner, which is igniteddirectly. Also a small plug-in power supply unit can be used as anelectricity source (10) instead of batteries, which is then easy to plugin.

List of reference marks  1 ignition burner C2 ignition capacitor  2ignition locking valve C3 HF - capacitor  3 anchor C4 blocking capacitor 4 thermocouple CS blocking capacitor  5 pulse magnet IS pulse signal  6ignition locking magnet L1 coil  7 tappet LS pulse signal  8 recoilspring MS measuring signal  9 ignition electrode R1 resistor 10electricity source R2 resistor 11 power oscillator R3 resistor 12cascade stage 1 SE voltage level 13 cascade stage 2 TE time at TR2 14Element for monitoring TL time at TR1 and limiting zung TR trigger 15CMOS circuit TR1 trigger point 16 complementary - field effect TR2trigger point power stage T1 transistor 17 relay T2 transistor 18 safetycutoff T3 transistor 19 phase shifter T4 field effect transistor 20analogue amplifier V1 pre-amplifier A to M ports V2 booster amplifier C1storage capacitor MS measuring signal

1. Process for igniting a gas flow with an electronic control unit and agas regulating valve, the gas regulating valve having an ignition burner(1) and an ignition burner valve (2), the ignition burner valve (2)operable between open and closed positions with an electromagnet (5) andheld in the open position with a locking magnet (6), the processcomprising the steps of: generating a higher voltage from a directcurrent supplied from an electricity source (10), charging a storagecapacitor (C1) and an ignition capacitor (C2) with the higher voltage toprovide an ignition voltage (C2), activating the locking magnet (6) witha holding current provided by the electricity source (10), while at thesame time interrupting an electric circuit between the locking magnet(6) and a thermocouple (4) that can be influenced by the gas flame via arelay (17). discharging the storage capacitor (C1) via a circuit elementto generate a surge of current which briefly energizes the electromagnet(5) to open the ignition burner valve (2) which is held open by theactivated locking magnet (6), generating a pilot light at the ignitionburner (1) by igniting gas flowing through the ignition burner valve (9)to the ignition burner (1) via an ignition electrode (9) electricallyconnected to the ignition capacitor (C2), and interrupting the holdingcurrent flowing from the electricity source (10) to the locking magnet(6) and closing the circuit between the ignition locking magnet (6) andthe thermocouple via the relay (17) after a defined period of time haselapsed.
 2. Process in accordance with claim 1, further comprising thesteps of checking to determine whether a gas flame is alight andaborting any of the steps of the process if the gas flame is alight. 3.Process in accordance with claim 2, further comprising the steps of:measuring the existence of thermal electromagnetic force, performingsaid step of initiating further ignition procedures in response to alack of the thermal electromagnetic force, terminating the ignition inresponse to the existence of the thermal electromagnetic force,calculating a thermoelectric current from the thermal electromagneticforce, and interrupting the holding current flowing from the electricitysource (10) to the locking magnet (6) and closing the circuit betweenthe locking magnet (6) and the thermocouple via the relay (17) inresponse to the thermoelectric current being sufficient to hold open theignition burner valve with the locking magnet (6).
 4. Process inaccordance with claim 3, wherein the storage capacitor (C1) and theignition capacitor (C2) are charged via respective power converters. 5.Process in accordance with claim 3, wherein the higher voltage isgenerated using a power oscillator (11), the storage capacitor (C1) iselectrically connected to a first stage (12) of a multiple cascadedownstream of the power oscillator (11), and the ignition capacitor (C2)is electrically connected to a second stage (13) of the multiplecascade.
 6. Process in accordance with claim 5, further comprising thestep of switching off the power oscillator (11) in response to thecapacitors (C1, C2) being charged to a prescribed DC voltage.
 7. Processin accordance with claim 6, wherein the holding current supplied fromelectricity source (10) simultaneously flows through the locking magnet(6) and the relay (17), and that at the time that the electric circuitbetween the locking magnet (6) and the thermocouple (4) is closed byclosing the relay (17), an additional current is briefly generated. 8.Process in accordance with claim 6, wherein the voltage of the holdingcurrent supplied to the locking magnet (6) from electricity source (10)is in the millivolt range.
 9. Process in accordance with claim 8,wherein the existence of a thermal electromagnetic force is measured byan analogue amplifier (20).
 10. Process in accordance with claim 9,wherein the step of interrupting the holding current provided to thelocking magnet (6) is further defined has interrupting the holdingcurrent provided to the locking magnet (6) with one or more safetycutoffs (18) connected in series after a defined period of time haselapsed.
 11. Process in accordance with claim 5 further comprising thestep of disconnecting the storage capacitor (C1) from the multiplecascade (12) prior to charging the ignition capacitor (C2).
 12. Circuitarrangement for igniting a gas flow with an electronic control unit anda gas regulating valve, the gas regulating valve having an ignitionburner (1) and an ignition burner valve (2), the ignition burner valve(2) operable with an electromagnet (5) between an open position and aclosed position and held in the open position with a locking magnet (6),the circuit arrangement comprising: a power converter connected to anelectricity source (10), a storage capacitor (C1) disposed downstreamfrom the power converter and electrically connected to the electromagnet(5) to operate the ignition burner valve (2), an ignition capacitor (C2)electrically connected to an ignition electrode (9), a relay (17)electrically connecting the locking magnet (6) either to the electricitysource (10) or a thermocouple (4), at least one timed safety cutoff (18)disposed between the electricity source (10) and the ignition lockingmagnet (6), and an element electrically connected to the electroniccontrol unit for measuring the voltage of the thermocouple (4). 13.Circuit arrangement in accordance with claim 12, further comprising anelement (14) electrically connected to the storage capacitor (C1) tomonitor and limit the voltage of the storage capacitor (C1).
 14. Circuitarrangement in accordance with claim 12, wherein the element (14) isalso electrically connected to the ignition capacitor (C2) to monitorand limit the voltage of the ignition capacitor (C2).
 15. Circuitarrangement in accordance with claim 14, wherein the power converter isfurther defined as a power oscillator (11) connected to the electricitysource (10), and wherein a cascade (12/13) is downstream from the poweroscillator (11), and the element (14) is located after the cascade(12/13) for monitoring and limiting voltage.
 16. Circuit arrangement inaccordance with claim 13, wherein the power oscillator (11) includes atleast one CMOS circuit (15) a complementary field effect power stage(16) downstream from the at least one CMOS circuit, an LC resonantcircuit (L1/C3) downstream from the at least one CMOS circuit, and aphase shifter (19).
 17. Circuit arrangement in accordance with claim 16,wherein the element for measuring the voltage of the thermocouple (4) isfurther defined as an analog amplifier (20).
 18. Circuit arrangement inaccordance with claim 17, wherein the analog amplifier (20) is an ACamplifier disposed downstream from a clocked voltage divider. 19.Circuit arrangement in accordance with claim 16, wherein the at leastone CMOS circuit (16) includes at least four gates with at least two ofthe gates electrically connected in parallel and at least one of thegates disposed upstream from the at least two of the gates electricallyconnected in parallel.